Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-29
CHAPTER III.


at is one fact, sir, that I am widow" she
aid. at is another fact that I'm going to
bc married again in a weeks time"
There she paused and smiled at some
thought that occurred to hor. DR.. Wybrow
was not favorably impressed by her smile
there was something at once sad and cruel in
1t. 1t came slowly and it went away sud
denly. He began to doubt whether be had
been wise In acting ON his first impression.
His mind reverted to the commonplace pa
tients and the discoverable maladies that
were waiting for him, with a certain tender
regret.
The lady went on:
"My approaching marriage" she said, "has
one embarrassing circumstance connected
with 1t. The gentleman whose wife nm to
DO was engaged to another lady when he hap
pened to meet with me, abroad-that lady,
mind, being of his own blood and family, re-
lated to him as his cousin. l have innocently
robbed her of her lover and destroyed her
prospects in life. Innocently, say-because
he told me nothing of his engagement until
after had accepted him. When we next
met in England-and when there wasd danger,
no doubt, OF tue affair coming to my Lnowl-
tnBe-ue lOlu Jue tTubus WIS naturally
Indignant. He had his excuse ready. He
showed me letter from the lady herself re-
leasing him from his engagement. A more
noble, a more high minded letter never read
In my life. / cried over It'll who have no
tears in me for SORROWS OF my ownl II the
letter had left him any hope OF being forgiven
would have positively refused to marry
him. But the firmness Of it-without anger,
without word of reproach, with heartfelt
wishes even for his happness-the frmness of
1t, Il say, left him hope. He appealed TO my
compassion; he appealed to his love for me-
You know what women are. was too soft
hearted. said, Very well; yesr So 1t ended.
In week more q tremble as repeat IL we
are to be married"
She did really tremble-she was obliged TO
pause and compose herself, before she could
90 on. The doctor waiting for more facts,
began TO fear that he stood committed TO q
long story.
"Forgive me for reminding you that have
suffering persons waiting to see me he said
1.-THE sooner yon can come to the point the
better for my patients and for me-"
The strange smile-at once 80 sad and so
cruel showed itself again on the lady's lips.
every word l have said is TO the point,n
she answered. "You will see 1t yourself in
moment more" N
She resumed her narrative.
"Yesterday-yod need fear no long story,
sir; only yesterday-I was among the visit
ors at one Of your English luncheon parties
A lady, u perfect stranger 10 me, came in
late-aiter we had left tho table, and had
retired 70 the drawing room. She happened
to take chair near me; and we were pre-.
sented 10 each other. / knew her by name,
as she knew me. 1t was the woman whom 1
had robbed Of her lover, the woman who had
written the noble letter. Now listen you
were impatient with me for not interesting
you in what said just now. l said it to
Sntisfy yonr mind that had no enmity OF
feeling toward the lady, on my side. ad-
mired her, felt for her-I had no cause TO
repronch myself. This Is very important, as
you will presently see. On her side, have
reason TO be assured that the circumstances
had been truly explained to her, and that she
understood was in no way TO blame. Now,
knowing all these necessary things as you do,
explain to me, IL you can, why, whom rose
and met that woman's eyes looking at me,
turned cold from head 10 foot, and shud-
dcred, and shivered, aid knew what deadly